FM 17-98 SCOUT PLATOON

FOOD AND WATER
Water collection
Without water, the chances of survival are nil and all the food in the area means nothing. When there is no surface
water, it will be absolutely necessary to tap into the earth’s water table for ground water. In rocky soil, look for springs
and seepage; in loose soil, look for ground water along valley floors or on the slopes bordering the valley. Springs and
seepage can also be found above the high water mark of rivers and streams. In desert or arid lands, natives often know
where lingering surface pools are located in low places and will cover these with brush heaps.
Places that are visibly damp, where animals have scratched, or where flies hover indicate recent surface water. Collect
dew on clear nights by sponging it up with a handkerchief; in heavy dew, it should be possible to collect about a pint
an hour. On mountains, dig in dry stream beds, where water can often be found under the gravel. In snowfields, put
snow in a container and place it in the sun, out of the wind.
A water still can be built using a 6-foot-square piece of clean plastic, a 2-to-4-quart container, and a 5-foot piece of
flexible tubing. First pick an unshaded spot for the still, and dig a hole about 3 feet across and about 18 inches deep.
Place the container in the bottom of the hole and tape one end of the flexible tube inside. Lay the plastic sheet over the
hole and pile enough dirt or rocks around the edge to hold it firmly in place. Place a fist-size rock in the center of the
plastic sheet and adjust the sheet as necessary to bring it to within a couple of inches of the container. Heat from the
sun will evaporate the ground water, which then condenses under the plastic. The water trickles down and drops into
the container; it can be drunk using the tubing.
Food sources
There are at least 300,000 different kinds of wild plants in the world. A large number of them are edible, although
some are tastier than others. Never eat a large quantity of a strange food without first testing it. Prepare a cooked
sample, then take a mouthful, chew it, and hold it in your mouth for five minutes. If it tastes good, it is generally safe
to eat. If the taste is bitter or you develop a burning or nauseating feeling, do not eat the rest. In general, if you observe
an animal eating the plant, it will be safe for you to eat. Avoid eating plants that have milky juices; they are not fit for
consumption.
Animal food contains the most nutrient value per pound. Anything that creeps, crawls, swims, or flies is a possible
source of food. Small game animals, such as rabbits and mice, travel on paths through vegetation. Set traps or snares
on or over these trails. Fishhooks can be made from items with points or pins, such as nail files or collar insignia, or
from bird bones, fish spines, and pieces of wood.
Hot meals are beneficial to morale, and proper heating kills many germs. Boiling is the best way to cook food in the
wild; it preserves the food’s natural juices and does not require a large fire.
SHELTERS
Construct a shelter based on whether you need protection from rain, cold, heat, sunshine, or insects and on how long
you will be camped. Pick the location for a camp carefully. Make sure it is in a concealed location away from trails or
roads. Try to camp near food and water sources. Do not make camp at the base of a steep slope or in areas threatened
by avalanches, floods, rockfalls, or battering winds. Ponchos, tarps, palm fronds, limbs, and branches can be used to
build shelters. In snowfields, snowcaves or igloos can be constructed for shelter.
SECTION 6 — ENEMY WEAPONS, VEHICLES, AND AIRCRAFT
This section provides the scout platoon members with a guide to some of the common armored vehicles and attack
helicopters with which the platoon may come in contact on the battlefield. For the scout platoon to complete its
mission, it must stay alive. It is therefore very important that the scouts know in detail what enemy weapon systems
are on the battlefield as well as their ranges, capabilities, and the manner in which they will be employed. Figure 9-7
lists specifications for various potential enemy systems.